Permalink: https://media.greenpeace.org/archive/Protestor-Ms-Suzuki-in-Okinawa-27MZIFJ677SSO.htmlConceptually similarSave the Dugong Action in JapanGP01FJHCompleted★★★★Save the Dugong Action in JapanGP0AOQCompleted★★★★Save the Dugong Action in JapanGP0VALCompleted★★★★Save the Dugong Action in JapanGP01F2BCompleted★★★★Save the Dugong Action in JapanGP0RTWCompleted★★★★Save the Dugong Action in JapanGP0OTZCompleted★★★★Save the Dugong Action in JapanGP017COCompleted★★★★Save the Dugong Action in JapanGP0VSICompleted★★★★Save the Dugong Action in JapanGP0B86Completed★★★★View AllGP0STPESRProtestor Ms Suzuki in OkinawaMs Masako Suzuki is leader of the Northern Limit Dugong Research Team Zan.Ms Masako Suzuki is 66 years old, and originally from Yokohama. Dugongs were found in Okinawa in 2007 or 2008, in the place the US military base would be relocated in Oura Bay. Until then, Japanese dugongs were thought to be extinct throughout Japan. She thought the dugong would be immediately protected, but the Ministry of the Environment did not implement environmental protection measures. She was outraged and raised the issue with the Ministry of the Environment and other NGOs but was told that "ordinary middle-aged women like you should not be involved in these issues".Zan means dugong in Okinawan dialect. In 1999, she built a network ‘Watching Club of Northern Limit Dugong’ with researchers, students and citizens. In 2000, the group held the first symposium about wild dugongs in Kyoto, Tokyo and Okinawa. She connected two local small dugong protection groups with Dr. Helene March, the world famous researcher on dugong protection. People ate dugong meat in the past. After the WW ll, Okinawa suffered severe food shortage and many dugongs were lost due to dynamite fishing and by-catch. Now, dugongs can only live in the northern part of the Okinawa island. She wants to see the dugong protected fully.Locations:Asia-Henoko-Japan-Okinawa-kenDate:30 Oct, 2015Credit:© Ian Teh / GreenpeaceMaximum size:5760px X 3840pxKeywords:Activists-Beaches-Day-Eye contact-KWCI (GPI)-Local population-Oceans (campaign title)-Oceans (topography)-One person-Outdoors-Portraits-Trees-WomenShoot:Stories of Protest in OkinawaThe ocean home of the last few Japanese dugongs is about to be landfilled to make way for two airstrips – part of the expansion of a US military base on the island of Okinawa. But a movement nearly 18 years old is standing up to say NO.The struggle is reaching a fever pitch. The majority of Okinawa's people – from students to grandparents and the local governor – have voiced their opposition to the plans. But construction work continues. There are daily scuffles outside the base as protesters attempt to prevent bulldozers and equipment from entering the bay.Here are the stories of six courageous people who are taking action to save the dugongs and protect the rich ocean life for future generations.Related Collections:Stories of Protest in Okinawa
